ONEONTA, NY – Junior midfielder Simon Greatwich (Lewes, England/Lewes Priory) exploded for a career-high six points while having a hand in all four Hartwick goals as the Hawks rolled past visiting Florida Atlantic 4-1 on Friday night on Elmore Field. The game kicked off the College’s Homecoming and Reunion Weekend in front of close to 600 fans.
            The Hawks, who improve to 3-4-2 overall and 1-0 in the MAC, thoroughly outplayed the Owls from start to finish, scoring a pair of goals in each half and finishing the match with a 19-13 edge in shots and 5-0 advantage in corners.
            Junior Greg Mathers Macclesfield, England/Binghamton Univ.) and sophomore Tim Crawford (Webster, NY/Webster Thomas HS) each registered a goal and an assist for the Hawks.
            The three-goal margin of victory is the highest for the Hawks since a 3-0 home win over Loyola on September 13, 2009 in the Mayor’s Cup. Hartwick’s four goals is the most for the program since 2008 when the Hawks downed Western Michigan in the MAC quarterfinals in Akron, OH.
            Hartwick maintained early pressure on the Owl goal from the opening kickoff. Crawford had an opportunity right in front following a short cross from Cleyon Brown (Kingston, Jamaica, Berkshire School) but FAU keeper Jeremy Crumpton made the save two minutes into the match.
            Just 49 ticks later, Greatwich gave ’Wick the lead as he received a cross from along the end line from defender Jherrett Maroney (Cincinnatus, NY/Stony Brook Univ.) and finished up high to the far post past Crumpton.
            The Hawks had more chances to add to their lead later in the half. Mathers put a full volley high of the Owl goal with 34 and a half minutes left in the half and Brown put another shot just over the bar after freeing himself from a pair of Owl defenders at the top of the box.
            Maroney came close to netting a goal with 25:30 left before the break as he dribbled for nearly 80 yards before putting his shot just wide. He won a ball at the left back position and dribbled up the left side line before cutting the ball to the middle of the field. He eluded a pair of FAU defenders inside the box only to have his left-footed shot slip by the left goal post.
            FAU had its best chance of the half 15 minutes before halftime as forward Darnell King headed a bouncing ball over the Hawks’ last defender and ran onto it, breaking in alone with ’Wick goalkeeper Tom Buckner (Oxford, England/Henley College). King got his shot off but Buckner charged out to block it and the game remained 1-0 Hartwick’s favor.
            With 2:32 left on the clock, Greatwich set up the Hawks’ second goal to extend the advantage. He slid a pass to Crawford on the left side of the Owl goal. Crawford’s shot eluded Crumpton low to the far corner and the Hawks had a two-goal edge heading into halftime.
            In the second half, the Hawks nearly made it 3-0 eleven minutes in. A Hawk corner kick produced a bouncing ball in the box ten yards from goal. Defender Pat Thompson (Candor, NY/Candor) came close to scoring his first goal of the season but his bicycle kick was cleared off the line by an Owl defender.
            Less than 10 minutes later, Greatwich added his second of the night. Mathers started the play with a short corner to midfielder Rio Dhat (Auckland, New Zealand/Epping Boys HS) at the corner of the Owls’ 18-yard box. Dhat played the ball into the box to Greatwich, whose shot deflected in off an FAU defender for a 3-0 lead.
            Mathers blasted in the Hawks’ fourth goal with 5:19 left. Crawford and Greatwich picked up the assists. Crawford delivered a pass to Mathers at the top of the FAU box and his left-footer was too much for Crumpton to handle for the four-goal lead.
            The Owls spoiled Buckner’s quest for his second clean sheet of the season with just 1:40 remaining. King started the play with a hard, far-post shot which Buckner made the save on. The ball fell to Jefferson Dias who was staring at a wide open Hartwick goal. Buckner still managed to get a piece of his shot but he wasn’t able to keep the ball out.
            Buckner finished the match with six saves for the Hawks, who improve to 3-3-1 against the Owls all-time. Crumpton made five stops for FAU.
            Hartwick will look for its second straight win and third in its last four matches on Sunday against St. Joseph’s. Kickoff will take place at 2 p.m. on Elmore Field. 

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